Kia Orana from Rarotonga

[Oakie]

So as I sit here at the Lagoon Breeze Villas waiting for the heavy drizzle to lift ... some news from Rarotonga.

As of this year it is more difficult for tourists to get a scooter licence (unless, dear friends, they have full overseas bike licences like us KBers). Must do theory and must do proper practical. Big queues at Raro Popo now and people are missing out.

Government is about to enact legislation making helmets compulsory for 16 to 25 year olds based on statistics that show this age group most at risk of bouncing down the road on their heads. Who'do have thunk it?

Finally on a personal note, the Suzuki AN 125 I am riding has done nearly 55,000 km. It is showing it's age but I'm impressed at that mileage given the thrashing it must get. Mrs Oakie's bike is a mere novice in comparison with just 24,000 km.

Later! The sun is starting to come out and it's riding time!

[skippa1]

So as I sit here at the Lagoon Breeze Villas waiting for the heavy drizzle to lift ... some news from Rarotonga.

As of this year it is more difficult for tourists to get a scooter licence (unless, dear friends, they have full overseas bike licences like us KBers). Must do theory and must do proper practical. Big queues at Raro Popo now and people are missing out.

Government is about to enact legislation making helmets compulsory for 16 to 25 year olds based on statistics that show this age group most at risk of bouncing down the road on their heads. Who'do have thunk it?

Finally on a personal note, the Suzuki AN 125 I am riding has done nearly 55,000 km. It is showing it's age but I'm impressed at that mileage given the thrashing it must get. Mrs Oakie's bike is a mere novice in comparison with just 24,000 km.

Later! The sun is starting to come out and it's riding time!

Rub it in ya bastard.
thought the licence thing would change eventually, just as well for a full licence

[Maha]

Good stuff Oakie, last time we were there we would collect reef shoes/snorkel and towel from the resort and spend the day visiting different beaches around the island, with a beer or two in between. Muri (3rd pic) is stunning.

[skippa1]

Good stuff Oakie, last time we were there we would collect reef shoes/snorkel and towel from the resort and spend the day visiting different beaches around the island, with a beer or two in between. Muri (3rd pic) is stunning.

Muri is about as close to paradise as you get as far as im concerned

[Maha]

Muri is about as close to paradise as you get as far as im concerned

Agreed, somewhat envious of Oakie at the moment, will get back there one day.

[caseye]

Fuck him,jealous as all hell now! we were there in January and going back next May, love Raro, place rocks for a do it all or nothing holiday, people are fantastic, place is clean and locals make you feel positively welcome, Na Muri is second to the Sunset coast side, we stay with Paul and Michelle at Castaways, beautiful sunsets with cocktails and seafood dinner on the beach every night. Ya cruise over there, no need for speed.

[Oakie]

Just returned from our first lap of the island and enjoying a gin in our villa while we wait for happy hour to start. Pinada colada then off for tea after which we'll watch the rugby with the locals at Coco Putt.
Life is just grand!

[Moi]

... Life is just grand!

That's not grand! Grand is raking leaves into numerous piles, sweeping paths and driveway of leaves and twigs... that is grand. Let me repeat myself... raking and sweeping is GRAND...

[Maha]

That's not grand! Grand is raking leaves into numerous piles, sweeping paths and driveway of leaves and twigs... that is grand. Let me repeat myself... raking and sweeping is GRAND...

Island people do that while you're sleeping.

[husaberg]

So as I sit here at the Lagoon Breeze Villas waiting for the heavy drizzle to lift ... some news from Rarotonga.

As of this year it is more difficult for tourists to get a scooter licence (unless, dear friends, they have full overseas bike licences like us KBers). Must do theory and must do proper practical. Big queues at Raro Popo now and people are missing out.

Government is about to enact legislation making helmets compulsory for 16 to 25 year olds based on statistics that show this age group most at risk of bouncing down the road on their heads. Who'do have thunk it?

Finally on a personal note, the Suzuki AN 125 I am riding has done nearly 55,000 km. It is showing it's age but I'm impressed at that mileage given the thrashing it must get. Mrs Oakie's bike is a mere novice in comparison with just 24,000 km.

Later! The sun is starting to come out and it's riding time!

She if it will still make it up to the pineapple patch up behind the hospital......

[PrincessBandit]

I'm not jealous. Much! When we were over there a few years ago we hired the only two GN250's at the rental place 'cos my feet couldn't reach the ground on their scoots! Being a short arse is such a drag sometimes. My ginny wasn't too bad compared to Balu's - his looked like it had been rusting away in a back paddock for 15 years along with being vandalised for good measure.
Our standard jokes after a couple of days (1) "don't hit the coconuts" and (2) "clockwise or anticlockwise today?".

Ah, I am green with envy ya lucky sod.

[Oakie]

I'm not jealous. Much! When we were over there a few years ago we hired the only two GN250's at the rental place 'cos my feet couldn't reach the ground on their scoots! Being a short arse is such a drag sometimes. My ginny wasn't too bad compared to Balu's - his looked like it had been rusting away in a back paddock for 15 years along with being vandalised for good measure.
Our standard jokes after a couple of days (1) "don't hit the coconuts" and (2) "clockwise or anticlockwise today?".

Ah, I am green with envy ya lucky sod.

A lot more GNs around now days ... also a good num

ber of the current CB125 and a lot of Chinese bikes. Saw a local doing big wheelie on his scoot yesterday. Dumb but impressive.
Fairly new kid on the block, the 'Hula Bar' opposite the airport. Great food at good prices. Lived up to its reviews.
Lazy day today leading up to BBQ night at Coco Putt tonight
. Tomorrow is another lap of the island taking in a tour of the brewery, lunch at Bamboo Jacks and a visit to the Whale display thing. Hope you guys are enjoying winter?

[Stirts]

I am super jealous...we went last year and bloody loved it. Spent all day everyday on our scooters exploring the island, think we did all the in-roads, off-roads, and round-roads!!!

Off roading...


Nodrog was here...



Checked out the local racing scene...



And a bit of racing...Raro TT styles



TT Prep...



And even a drink at the Sheraton...


We are all going back for sure!!

Tomorrow is another lap of the island taking in a tour of the brewery, lunch at Bamboo Jacks and a visit to the Whale display thing. Hope you guys are enjoying winter?

If you haven't already, you need to get the FOB at the Moorings best fresh fish sammie ever. It's in Muri. Oh and go to the Muri night markets for a feed too!!

Oh yeah, also...

[ellipsis]

...and don't forget to dig a hole into a green coconut and pour some rum in the hole...

[Old Steve]

1977, lived there for about six weeks or so when starting our OE. Played golf under the radio masts, snorkelled at Black Rock nearly every day, had BBQ moray eel for my wife's birthday, speared fresh fish with a hawaiian sling for tea. I would grate coconut and squeeze out the coconut cream every night, cut papayas in half, scoop the seeds out and fill the hole with coconut cream, put them in the fridge and have them for breakfast. Not many motorbikes for hire back then though, walked everywhere. Geez, that's nearly 40 years ago!